Since a few days, Stade Rennes’ interest for Christian Benteke has been revealed. Born in Congo but a Belgian national, the lanky 1.90m centre forward is a Standard de Liege player since 2009. Loaned to FC Malines this season, where he has scored three goals, the player doesn’t plan to stay to long in the Jupiler League: “I’ve got a contract running until 2013 with Standard Liège but I’m loaned to Malines, it’s true. And honestly, I don’t want to go back to Liege. If I have to leave now, I’m ready to do so”, he explained to newspaper Ouest-France this Friday.
After the arrival of Razak Boukari, could Benteke be the second attacking recruit expected by Frédéric Antonetti this winter? The player would like his transfer to be finalised as soon as possible in order to bring his ability to the service of Stade Rennes: “I want to arrive in Rennes now, during this winter transfer window if possible, and for the good of my career. I could profit of the coming months to gain experience”. During this interview, he also admits he met the club’s general manager two weeks ago with his agent.
It is clear that the Belgian international’s wish is to join Rennes this January. But this wish is contrasting with the realities the Rennes management is confronted to. Pierre Dréossi affirmed recently that this transfer would probably happen in June only. The cause, a regulation issue would prevent the arrival of Benteke this winter in Rennes.
Indeed, before being loaned to Malines this season, Benteke had played for Standard de Liège. The FIFA rules forbid a player to sign three licences for different clubs in the same season. Consequently, in case of an agreement for the transfer of the twenty years old centre forward, this would only be applicable during the 2011-2012 season. Benteke will have to wait.